Can-opener.



J. J. MARTZ.

CAN OPENER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1910.

1,002,068. Patented Aug. 29, 1911'.

3 BHBBTS-8HBET 2.

\v; H 1 I v Sum/Mew tOLUMmA PLANOGRAPH C0,. WASHINGTON. D. c.

J.'J. MARTZ.

CAN OPENER. v APPLICATION FILED NOV.11, 1910. l I 1,002,068. Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

a BHEETS-BHEBT s;

ammo o Joseph J 3131112 COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH C0 WASHINGTON. D. C-

FFTQ.

JOSEPH J. MARTZ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug". 29, 1911.

Application filed November 11, 1910. Serial No. 591,811.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. MARTZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to can openers and more particularly to that type which are adapted for use in hotels or other places where a large amount of canned goods is consumed.

The object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will readily and conveniently completely sever the tops from cans of all sizes with ease and facility.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable cutting knife which is adapted to completely sever the top of different sized cans and which turns in the edges of the can so as to prevent cutting the fingers.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel device of this character having a rotating adjustable knife and a pivoted lever adapted to throw the knife to a complete circuit so as to sever the top from the can.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel can holder having means to clamp different sized cans therein and means to automatically eject the cans upon release of the holding mechanism.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and in which:

Figure 1 1s a perspect1ve vlew. Flg. 2 1s a side elevation with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the knife and knlfe holder. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail bottom plan View of the operating ring.

Referring more particularly to the draw ing 1 represents a mounting plate which has formed integrally with its outer end a cylmder 2 having an inwardly extending flange 3 which is adapted to support the sliding jaws 4 arranged at quartering intervals around the cylinder and sliding through openings 5 formed therein. The openings in the cylinmounted to rotate in the cylinder 2 and is held in position therein by lugs 9. This ring is rotated to move the jaws inwardly and outwardly by means of a lever 10 which is passed through a slot 11 formed in the side of the cylinder above and between certain of the jaws 4. The internal diameters of the ring 8 and the flange 3 are the same and are of such size as to permit the passage of the largest type of can now in present use. In order to support the can within the cylinder so as to be adapted to be acted upon by the jaws, suitable hangers 12, three in number, are supported upon the upper edge of the cylinder and carry in their lower ends a spiral spring 13 which projects up into the cylinder and is compressed by the can when placed in position to be engaged by the jaws so that the top of the can is approximately flush with the top of the cylinder and so that when the jaws are released and the cut-ting mechanism, to be hereinafter described, is displaced, the can will be ejected by the expansion of the spring.

The cutting mechanism comprises an angular casting 14 which is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 1 by means of the hinge 15 so that it may be thrown backwardly with the leaves of the hinge resting upon one another. The horizontal arm of the casting 14: has formed integrally therewith a vertically arranged semi-cylindrical member 16 which is provided with separated inwardly extending ears 17. These ears are apertured in their outer ends to receive the centering shaft 18 which is shouldered between the ears 17 and provided with an operating gear 19 adapted to mesh with a larger driven gear 20 carried upon the outer end of the operating lever 21 which is pivoted upon a shaft 22 journaled in the cars 17 immediately behind the shaft 18. The lower end of the centering shaft 18 is pointed as at 23 so as to puncture the can top and a switch arm 24 is adjustably mounted above the pointed end by means of the set screw 25.

Slidably mounted upon the switch arm and held in adjustable position thereon by set screws 26 is a knife holding bracket 27 with the knife 28 mounted therein. This knife is provided with a suitable cutting edge 29 and a lateral flange 30 which tapers into the cutting edge as shown. This lateral flange is arranged on the outside of the cutting edge and always lies adjacent the sides of the can so as to throw that portion of the top removed from the severed part downwardly whereby the turned over edge will prevent the operators fingers from being cut in removing the can after it has been ejected by the spring.

In the operation of the device, the can is placed in the cylinder and pressed downwardly against the tension of the spring 13 until its top is flush with the top of the cylinder 2. The cutting frame is then folded over into operative position so as to force the puncturing point 23 of the shaft 18 through the top of the knife 28 also. In this position, the lever 21 is at the extremity of its movement in one direction and is pulled to the limit of its movement in the opposite direction. The gear 20 being twice the size of the gear 19, a half revolution of the shaft 22 will cause a complete revolution of the shaft 18, thus carrying the knife 28 entirely around the top and completely severing the same from the can. After the top has been severed the cutting frame is folded back with both leaves of the hinge 15 engaging each other, the lever 10 is operated to release the jaws 4 from the can and the spring 13 operates to eject the can from the cylinder.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A can opener comprising a can holding mechanism, a top cutting mechanism hinged thereto, and means to eject the can from the holding mechanism when the cutting mechanism is thrown to inoperative position.

2. A can opener comprising a can receiving cylinder, adjustable holding means carried thereby, means to eject the can from the cylinder when the holding means is released, and a top cutting device operatively connected to the cylinder.

3. A can opener comprising a can receiving cylinder, adjustable can holding means carried by the cylinder, a cutting frame hinged to the cylinder, a cutting knife operatively mounted in the cutting frame, and means for ejecting a can from the cylinder when the cutting frame is thrown to inoperative position.

1. In a device of the class described, the.

combination with a can receiving cylinder, of a plurality of can gripping jaws slidably mounted therein, means to operate said jaws simultaneously, a can cutting mechanism operatively hinged to said cylinder,

means for ejecting a can from the cylinder, and means carried by the cylinder for supporting said ejecting means.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a can receiving cylinder,

of a plurality of can gripping jaws slidably JOSEPH J. MARTZ.

Witnesses:

ALLAN P. Cox, GRACE Cox.

Copies of this natent' may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

